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                                   EXHIBIT 99
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AT THE COMPANY:
Daniel D. Viren            Roy Youst
SVP-Finance                Dir. Corp. Comm.
(614) 864-6400             (614) 729-7275

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2002

                 BILL LENICH LEAVES R.G. BARRY CORPORATION POST
                   Tom Coughlin Assumes Greater Responsibility

PICKERINGTON, Ohio - Monday, August 19, 2002 - Gordon Zacks, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of R.G. Barry Corporation (NYSE: RGB), today
announced that Bill Lenich, President and Chief Operating Officer, has left the
Company and its Board of Directors.

"Bill made significant contributions during the time he was with us, and we
appreciate his efforts," Mr. Zacks said. "He is leaving to pursue other
opportunities, and we wish him the best."

Zacks will assume Lenich's duties as Corporate President and COO.

Tom Coughlin, 45, Corporate Executive Vice President, Sales, will broaden his
role and has been named Corporate Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing,
reporting to Zacks. Mr. Coughlin's previous responsibilities at Springs
Industries and Rubbermaid make him particularly well qualified to accept his new
responsibilities.

The Company does not plan to conduct a search for a president.

R.G. Barry Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer
of slippers. The Company also makes and sells thermal retention technology
commercial and consumer products. To learn more about its businesses, visit
R.G. Barry Corporation's Web sites at (www.rgbarry.com) and
(www.microcoretechnology.com.)

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